By Clint Thompson Increased input costs are an ongoing battle for Southeast fruit and vegetable crop producers. But what can be done to counter the rapidly rising expenses that growers are paying for freight, containers, fertilizer and labor? One Georgia producer believes staying up to date on your regular expenses is a first step in possibly increasing commodity prices. During …
GFVGA President: (Labor’s) an Enormous Problem Right Now
By Clint Thompson Labor reform is at the top of the list of concerns for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Congress needs to formulate a solution sooner rather than later, says Drew Echols, president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “What we need is we need our republican friends to engage the democrats on …
Georgia Economist: Most of Increased Input Costs are Temporary
By Clint Thompson Input costs remain high for vegetable and specialty crop producers. But they are not permanent, stresses Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and State Fiscal Economist for Georgia. “I think most of this is temporary. People need to understand, we basically took a worldwide supply chain for every industry …
UF Citrus Breeder: Greening Inevitable for North Florida, South Georgia
By Clint Thompson It’s not a question of if citrus greening disease will be an issue for North Florida and South Georgia citrus producers but when will it be. Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida citrus breeder, believes the disease’s impact in both areas is inevitable. He shared his assessment during Thursday’s Cold Tolerant Citrus Production Workshop in Perry, Florida. …
CFAP 2 Deadline Approaches
Vegetable and specialty crop producers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have until Oct. 12 to sign up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2. The deadline allows for eligible farmers to either apply or modify their existing CFAP 2 applications. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and related costs due to …
Disease Development: Phytophthora Root Rot a Concern in Georgia Citrus
By Clint Thompson A saturated summer across the Southeast means more potential for development of phytophthora root rot disease in citrus trees. The impact on Georgia’s young trees could be devastating, says Jonathan Oliver, (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. Oliver implores Georgia’s citrus producers to stay vigilant in their fungicide sprays, as the wet conditions have not let …
Georgia Producers Thankful for Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson The weather forecast for the foreseeable future is a sight for sore eyes for South Georgia vegetable and specialty crop producers. The summer was filled with persistent rains that caused saturated field conditions. Sunshine with minimal rain is in the forecast. That is welcomed news for producers who have already started planting their fall crops, says Ty …
Decreased Production: Citrus Output Drops in All Citrus States
Citrus production in the 2020-21 season dipped in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona compared to the previous season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) recently reported that total U.S. output of 6.9 million tons of citrus was down 12% from 2019-20. Florida Florida’s total utilized production was down 21%. Oranges were off 22% and grapefruit dipped …
GFVGA to Offer Labor Forum
By Clint Thompson One of the main topics impacting Georgia fruit and vegetable producers will be the focus of a two-day forum in Tifton, Georgia on Nov. 9-10. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will present the annual Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center the second week of November. The …
GFVGA Set to Host Webinar
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will host a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 28 that addresses rising input costs in an uncertain economy. From pallets to chemicals, input costs have increased by as much as 25%. Which asks the question, how can growers compete? A panel discussion that includes Jeffrey Dorfman, University of Georgia economist; …